New Years 2011 - The Oldest Five!

Sabrina and Whitley learning to Snowboard!
Kourtney- second time out! She's a pro now.
Gunnar was interested in speed!
Jess was a bit more cautious!

Den and I had a little sta-cation with our oldest five grandkids, Gunnar, Jessica, Sabrina, Whitley and Kourtney over New Years! Gunnar brought some back up with his friend Harley. A few weeks later, the three 7 year old cousins, Cade, Morgan and Grace wanted a sleepover at Grandma Kat and Grandpa's house.

Snow boarding, movies, Carl Bloch Museum, swimming, shopping, eating, giggling a lot! (the girls only) games, DS, good talks and goal setting was just part of the fun.

Christmas 2010

I know I always show a ton of pictures at each holiday, but it's what I do! I have to have a record for my posterity!!

I want to thank all my family for the wonderful gifts ( the family tree and money for a frame, diamond earrings, darling apron, fuzzy warm slippers, golf gift cards galore) and for your complete willingness to participate in our Christmas program this year. As was requested by our children, we did our program at my Dad's Retirement Home. I don't think they could really hear us too well, but they seemed to enjoy what they saw! Especially when Joseph walked in with his arm gently around Mary (Luke and Rylee). There was a big awe from the audience. Whitley and Bailey did a great job as the story tellers! Trinity was the perfect angel. Treavor, Adam, Zach and Cade were the shepherds and our Wisemen, Travis, Gunnar and Stephen had the majority of the speaking parts, while Jessica and Sabrina played the background music. After the Nativity, it wouldn't be a complete Christmas Program without Kim and Tiffany sharing their musical talents. This year we were also excited to hear from Jovie, Mylee and Rylee.

After that program we all went back to our home where the adult kids (spear headed by Treavor, Tara and Kim) performed an amazing number on BUILDING A SNOWMAN!" Unfortunately, I have no pictures of the grand production number as of yet!! I was laughing so hard, my mouth muscles hurt! It was so cute and too much work. I felt a little guilty for asking them to come up with a number.

WE DID MISS THE LITTLE VAN LEEUWEN FAMILY IN OMAHA THOUGH. That was a bit of a downer. There wasn't a second we weren't thinking about them and missing them so badly!!!!

Thanks for a great Christmas!!

The Twelve Gifts of Christmas

GIFT 1- THE GIFT OF SERVICE Dennis made the mangers last year, so we added the bag with straw and name cards , along with the book to start their family service projects.
GIFT 2- THE GIFT OF MUSIC I made a Christmas CD with some our favorites!!
GIFT 3- GIFT OF LOVE They made Red Velvet Cookies to give to neighbors.
GIFT 4- THE GIFT OF FRIENDS They wrote letters to their closest friend.
GIFT 5- THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE
GIFT 6- THE GIFT OF SACRIFICE- We gave them money in the envelopes, they in turn took that money and used it to help someone in need. I loved hearing all their stories afterwards.
GIFT 7- GIFT OF MEMORIES ( a favorite!! I pulled out about 12 family photos from Christmases past, then Den and I recorded our voices sharing our memories from those years)
GIFT 8- THE GIFT OF WORK (OPPS! that one landed on a Sunday!?)
GIFT 9- THE GIFT OF FOOD
GIFT 10- GIFT OF TIME (TELISA made amazing family calendars again this year!!)
GIFT 11- GIFT OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST (She also made darling ABC Gospel books for the children)
GIFT 12- GIFT OF FAMILY

For Christmas this year we changed things up a bit. Instead of giving regular Christmas presents, Den and I decided to do the 12 Gifts of Christmas. I tried to focus this gifts of the importance of the season and hopefully give a cherished memory to our family in lieu of the traditional kind of gifts. After each gift was completed, the kids could put a magnet that I attached to the envelope, on the Christmas Tree magnet board. The idea was born from my friend, Carol Lambert, who has done it with her family for years. Boy, it was a lot of work!! But it turned into quite a spiritual journey for me. I hope my family enjoyed the journey, as well.

On Christmas Eve, we discovered our stockings were completely jammed with letters of Gratitude and Appreciation from nearly every family member!!! It meant the world to us! Best Christmas present ever!